What's that noise?

[fastandcurious]

When I started my car after the MOT that didn't go to badly (failed on the handbrake) today, I noticed a noise that I have not heard before. I turned the key the first click and there was what sounds like an electric motor running coming from the passenger footwell. It's quite loud. I pulled back the carpet to have a look, but could'nt pinpoint it. The vibration can be felt from it by lifting the bonnet and placing my hand on the inner wing in front of the wiper motor. Everything seems to be working ok. Am I being paranoid or just plain stupid?
I had to laugh when the tester had to call his mate to let him out the car because he couldn't find the door handle. He was sweating away in there, with it on tickover for what seemed like forever.
Help much appriciated CRAIG

Edited by fastandcurious on Thursday 12th July 16:41

[V8 GRF]

If it's coming from the passenger footwell its the motor adjuster for the heater. The motor adjusts the hot/cold and up/down and usually stops on it's limiter it sounds as though the limiter switch has failed and the motor is just turning. It's just below/behind the glove box.

[Pasco]

Or could it be a buzzing fuel pump relay

[V8 GRF]

Not if it's coming from the passenger footwell it isn't.

[Pasco]

V8 GRF said:

Not if it's coming from the passenger footwell it isn't.

They not down there then ?

[V8 GRF]

No not according to my 'bible' and handbook.

Edited to add.

This has got me thinking so where are the relays for the fuel pumps? I've had a look on some other threads and they say they're 'in the loom for the ecu' does that mean they're in amongst that spaghetti around the fuse box?
So if they are there then I apologise to Pasco but I'd still think the noise the OP is referring to is the heater motor 'cos mine failed and made a similar noise. I wouldn't think a relay would do more than 'click' and certainly wouldn't vibrate the bodywork.

Edited by V8 GRF on Thursday 12th July 19:15

[tom's dad]

When my fan relay failed it buzzed. Which might be interpreted as a vibration!

[The AJP Griff]

The interior fan will buzz if turned on,and down to min speed:

[fb2]

From scrabbling around when my fuel pump stopped working earlier in the week - I think there are two relays, one on the board housing the fuses (as per the diagram in the handbook) and one of the two metal bosch relays that are attached to the wires lying free over the battery.

[fastandcurious]

I had another listen earlier. It sounds like the noise is coming from the battery area. I can feel vibration on the left next to the fuseboard area. Confusingly the vibration can on the outside of the N/S front wing! Please keep the ideas coming in. CRAIG

[V8 GRF]

I still think this relay stuff is wrong. If the car is running it's the heater motor not switching off.
People love to try and make a problem more complex than it is.
Pull the fuse for your heater and see if the noise stops.
Tenner says it does.

Edited by V8 GRF on Friday 13th July 01:38

[Pasco]

V8 GRF said:

I still think this relay stuff is wrong. If the car is running it's the heater motor not switching off.
People love to try and make a problem more complex than it is.
Pull the fuse for your heater and see if the noise stops.
Tenner says it does.

Edited by V8 GRF on Friday 13th July 01:38

Hang on mate the op asked for suggestions

And as far as i am aware the relays in that area,including the silver Bosch fuel ones have known to buzz and vibrate from time to time.

Pasco

[fastandcurious]

An update on the problem. My heater control knob seems to be working now. When pressed in, the noise stops. But when the fan is on its slowest speed it's still very noisey. It appears that the noise gets quieter as I increase the fan speed or maybe it's just being drowned out by the fan its self.